Anyone But You Movie – Plot, Cast and Ending Explained

Anyone But You is a 2023 American romantic comedy that has captured audiences with its sharp wit, stunning Australian setting, and the electric chemistry between its leads. Starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, the film offers a modern twist on classic romantic comedy tropes while drawing inspiration from one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays.

Directed by Will Gluck and co-written with Ilana Wolpert, the film premiered at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on December 11, 2023, before receiving a wide theatrical release through Sony Pictures on December 22, 2023. The movie went on to become a significant box office success, grossing over $220 million worldwide and earning a reputation as a sleeper hit that helped revive the theatrical romantic comedy genre.

The story follows Bea and Ben, two characters whose instant connection at a coffee shop is complicated by a misunderstanding that sets them on opposite paths—until fate reunites them at a wedding in Sydney. With its blend of heartfelt moments, comedic mishaps, and Shakespearean echoes, Anyone But You has resonated with both critics and audiences alike.

What Is Anyone But You About?

The film opens with Bea, a Boston University law student, meeting Ben, a Goldman Sachs employee, at a coffee shop in New York. Their connection is immediate and effortless—they spend an entire day together, sharing deep conversations and genuine laughter, culminating in Bea falling asleep on Ben’s couch. However, when she leaves early the next morning without waking him, she overhears what she believes is Ben insulting her. In reality, Ben was expressing hurt over her departure, but the damage to their potential relationship is done.

Six months pass before their paths cross again at the wedding of Bea’s sister Halle to Pete’s sister Claudia in Sydney. Both Bea and Ben are staying at the hosts’ house, and the tension between them is palpable—especially with their exes Jonathan and Margaret also in attendance. To appease concerned family members and perhaps to provoke jealousy, they decide to pretend they are in a relationship.

Plot Summary

The fake relationship strategy leads to increasingly public displays of affection that blur the line between performance and reality. A dramatic scene on the harbor ends with a Titanic-style plunge into the water, followed by confessions and a night together. However, Bea’s casual comment about not regretting their time together sends Ben fleeing, mirroring the aftermath of their first night.

Wedding festivities bring additional complications when Bea’s family discovers she dropped out of law school. The couple pretends to reconcile to avoid ruining the celebration, but Bea flees after misseeing Ben with Margaret. What follows is an elaborate chase sequence involving a cliff jump, a helicopter, and a dramatic declaration at the Sydney Opera House.

Ending Explained

The finale brings the central misunderstanding to light. Ben rejects Margaret and confesses his fear of regret, reuniting with Bea at the Sydney Opera House. The moment affirms their night together as Bea’s first experience without regret. The wedding proceeds happily, and the revelation that the sisters had orchestrated much of the drama exposes the elaborate nature of the scheme. Jonathan and Margaret, initially seeming like obstacles, ultimately pair off, completing the romantic resolution.

The themes of second chances and the transformative power of honest communication run throughout the narrative, providing emotional depth alongside the comedic elements.

Who Stars in Anyone But You?

Sydney Sweeney takes on the role of Bea, portraying a law student whose journey of self-discovery forms the emotional core of the film. Sweeney’s performance brings both vulnerability and strength to the character, capturing Bea’s initial guardedness and subsequent emotional growth throughout the story.

Glen Powell stars as Ben, the Goldman Sachs employee whose charm and humor provide much of the film’s comedic energy. Powell’s natural chemistry with Sweeney has been widely noted as a highlight of the production, contributing significantly to the film’s box office success and audience appeal.

Main Cast

• Sydney Sweeney as Bea
• Glen Powell as Ben
• Alexandra Shipp as Claudia
• GaTa as Pete
• Hadley Robinson as Halle
• Michelle Hurd as Grandma
• Dermot Mulroney as Beau
• Darren Barnet as Jonathan
• Bryan Brown as Mr. Ben
• Rachel Griffiths as Mrs. Ben

The supporting cast brings additional warmth and humor to the wedding setting, with particular attention to the family dynamics that drive much of the plot’s conflict and resolution.

Director and Crew

Will Gluck directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Ilana Wolpert. Gluck has previously worked on similar genre projects, bringing experience in balancing romantic elements with comedic timing. The collaboration between Gluck and Wolpert crafted a script that honors classic rom-com conventions while introducing fresh twists appropriate for a contemporary audience.

The production team chose Sydney, Australia as the wedding destination, using the city’s iconic landmarks—including the Sydney Opera House—to create a visually striking backdrop for the romantic narrative. According to Wikipedia, the film was produced with a budget of approximately $25 million.

Where Can I Watch Anyone But You?

Anyone But You was released theatrically in the United States by Sony Pictures on December 22, 2023, following its premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater. The film performed exceptionally well in theaters, grossing over $220 million worldwide and establishing itself as one of the year’s most successful romantic comedies.

Streaming Options

Following its theatrical run, the film became available for home viewing through various digital platforms. Viewers interested in streaming Anyone But You should check platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, or Sony’s streaming services for current availability, as streaming rights and catalog additions change regularly.

The film’s strong audience reception—reflected in an 87% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes—suggests continued interest that may influence future streaming options and availability windows.

Release Timeline

1. December 11, 2023 – Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater in New York
2. December 22, 2023 – Wide theatrical release in the United States
3. 2024 – Digital and physical home media release
4. 2024 – Streaming availability through various platforms

Is Anyone But You Good?

Critics offered mixed assessments of Anyone But You, with the film receiving a 53% score on the Tomatometer based on 118 reviews, according to Rotten Tomatoes. While many praised the chemistry between Sweeney and Powell and appreciated the film’s comedic moments, others noted that the plot followed predictable romantic comedy conventions.

Critic Reviews

Many critics highlighted the performances of Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell as the film’s strongest elements. The natural rapport between the leads was frequently cited as a reason to watch, with reviewers noting that their screen presence elevated even routine moments in the script. However, some critics pointed out that the film occasionally stumbled when trying to balance its comedic and romantic elements.

The review from Range View News described the film as a “heartfelt, edgy rom-com,” capturing the blend of genuine emotion and contemporary humor that defines the production. This assessment reflects the general critical consensus that Anyone But You succeeds as entertainment, even if it doesn’t reinvent the romantic comedy genre.

Audience Scores

Audience reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with the film earning an impressive 87% Popcornmeter score based on over 1,000 verified ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. This significant gap between critical and audience reception suggests that viewers appreciate what the film delivers: an enjoyable, heartfelt romantic comedy experience.

The strong audience response contributed to the film’s commercial success and has helped sustain interest in theatrical romantic comedies. Social media buzz and word-of-mouth recommendations have played a role in maintaining audience engagement since the theatrical release.

Trailer

Official trailers, running approximately 2:32 in length, showcase the film’s key moments: the fiery first date that turns cold, the Australian wedding reunion, and the increasingly elaborate fake-couple antics. The trailers effectively capture the film’s tone, highlighting both the romantic tension and comedic elements that define the viewing experience.

Trailers are available through major platforms and provide a good introduction to the film’s narrative arc without revealing too many plot details.

Is Anyone But You Based on a True Story?

Anyone But You is not based on a true story. The film is a work of fiction, though it draws significant inspiration from William Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing. The connection to Shakespeare provides the narrative structure and thematic foundation, but the specific characters, events, and circumstances in the film are entirely created by the screenwriters.

Shakespeare Inspiration

The film loosely adapts Much Ado About Nothing, specifically mirroring the Beatrice/Benedick storyline. In Shakespeare’s original, the two characters engage in witty verbal sparring, pretending to dislike each other while harboring genuine feelings. Their path to reconciliation involves elaborate misunderstandings orchestrated by their friends and family.

Anyone But You translates these elements to a modern setting: the enemies-to-lovers dynamic becomes a misunderstanding-driven romance, the wedding intrigue becomes an actual destination wedding, and the family schemes are updated to include sisterly machinations. According to Wikipedia, the Shakespearean foundation provides thematic coherence even as the story takes contemporary form.

The adaptation approach honors the spirit of the original while creating a fresh narrative that appeals to modern audiences. The use of iconic Sydney landmarks—the harbor, the Opera House—adds visual grandeur that Shakespeare’s comedies lacked, expanding the romantic scope appropriate for a theatrical release.

Film Timeline

Understanding the production and release timeline provides context for the film’s journey from concept to audience reception. The following key milestones mark significant moments in Anyone But You’s lifecycle.

1. 2022 – Production begins, with casting announcements featuring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell
2. November 2023 – Premiere events and early press coverage
3. December 11, 2023 – World premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater
4. December 22, 2023 – Wide theatrical release through Sony Pictures
5. Early 2024 – Box office milestones reached, becoming a sleeper hit
6. 2024 – Home media release and streaming availability begins

What’s Clear and What Remains Uncertain

Background and Context

Anyone But You arrived at a significant moment for the romantic comedy genre. Following years of franchise dominance and superhero saturation, theatrical releases had largely moved away from original romantic comedies. The film’s success demonstrated continued audience appetite for well-executed romantic stories that combine humor with genuine emotional stakes.

The choice to set the film in Sydney served both practical and artistic purposes. Australian production incentives made the location financially attractive, while the city’s visual appeal provided memorable settings that enhanced the romantic atmosphere. The Sydney Opera House, in particular, became integral to the film’s climactic moments.

The collaboration between Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell generated significant pre-release buzz. Both actors had demonstrated comedic timing and dramatic range in previous projects, and their pairing was seen as a potential box office draw. The results validated this assessment, with their chemistry frequently cited in both critical and audience responses.

The film’s budget of approximately $25 million proved to be a wise investment. Against a modest production cost, the film generated over $220 million worldwide, representing exceptional returns. This performance has implications for future romantic comedy productions, potentially encouraging studios to invest in similar projects.

Sources and Perspectives

“The film succeeds as a heartfelt, edgy rom-com that balances comedy with genuine emotional moments.” — Range View News review

The article draws from multiple verified sources including IMDb, Wikipedia, and Rotten Tomatoes to establish factual accuracy regarding cast, crew, release dates, and reception data. Box office information from Box Office Mojo provides additional verification for commercial performance claims.

“Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell share excellent chemistry throughout the film.” — Critical consensus

Critical perspectives were gathered from aggregated review platforms, with particular attention to recurring themes in professional assessments. Audience reception data from verified rating systems complements these professional perspectives.

Summary

Anyone But You stands as a notable contribution to the romantic comedy genre, combining the structure of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with contemporary sensibility and Australian visual grandeur. Starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, the film follows its leads through misunderstandings, elaborate deceptions, and romantic declarations before finding its satisfying conclusion at the Sydney Opera House.

With a worldwide gross exceeding $220 million against a $25 million budget, the film demonstrated strong commercial performance alongside positive audience reception. Critics offered mixed but generally favorable assessments, with particular praise for the chemistry between its leads. The R rating reflects content appropriate for mature teens and adults, including sexual content, language, and brief nudity.

For viewers exploring similar content, the Cast of The Other Zoey – Actors, Characters and Backgrounds offers related viewing recommendations in the romantic comedy space.

Frequently Asked Questions